Shoe, Particularly an Athletic Shoe

ABSTRACT

The invention concerns a shoe, particularly an athletic shoe, comprising a shoe upper part and a sole. At least one cushioning element is placed above or inside the sole. This cushioning element is formed from a number of webs that form cavities extending horizontally and transversally to the longitudinal direction of the shoe. In order to improve the spring and cushioning behavior as well as the pronation an supination behavior of the shoe, the invention provides that the shoe has a hind foot of heel shell to which the at least one portion of the webs directly adjoin.

The invention relates to a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, with a shoe upper part and a sole, a damping element being arranged above or in the sole, the damping element being formed by a number of webs which form cavities which extend horizontally and transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

A sports shoe of this type is known for example from DE 34 40 206 C2. There, the sole of the shoe is provided with a damping element which has a number of cavities which pass through the sole transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the shoe when it is being used as intended, i.e. when the shoe is resting on the ground. As a result, the shoe or its sole is provided with desired damping characteristics.

Other solutions by which it is possible to influence the cushioning and damping properties of a shoe have also become known. WO 01/17384 A2 describes a sole for a shoe in the case of which a number of ribs which have a curved shape are positioned in the rear-foot region between a support part or inner part and an outsole. This achieves the effect that, when the sole is subjected to loading by foot impact forces, bending of the ribs takes place, the rib assuming an almost semi-ellipsoidal shape.

Furthermore, DE 20 2005 007 867 U1 discloses a shoe of the type mentioned at the beginning in the case of which the damping element is formed by two panels arranged at a distance from each other and parallel to each other, to be specific a top panel and a bottom panel, webs which form the said cavities extending between the two panels. Such a solution is schematically shown in FIG. 1; the rear part of a shoe can be seen in side view there. The damping element 3, which is integrated in the sole 2, has a top panel 15 and a bottom panel 16—acting there at the same time as an outsole—webs 4 extending between the two panels and forming cavities 5.

FIG. 2 schematically shows the shoe represented in FIG. 1 when the heel impacts on the ground. The foot force F_(F) induces as a reaction force the ground force F_(B), both forces being directed substantially in the direction of the vertical V. The foot force F_(F)—in the present case substantially transferred via the heel of the wearer of the shoe—acts approximately at the schematically indicated location, while the ground force F_(B) is introduced into the sole at the rear end of the shoe. As a result, the two forces necessarily lie at a certain distance from each other—when viewed in the direction of the horizontal H.

As is immediately evident from FIG. 2, shearing forces F_(S) therefore occur when the shoe impacts on the ground in the schematically indicated way, displacing the bottom and top panels in relation to each other in the longitudinal direction of the shoe and therefore deforming the structure of the damping element 3, as indicated in FIG. 2. The cavities 5 that were previously rectangular in side view (see FIG. 1) are deformed and now have a rhomboidal contour, which may have disadvantageous effects on the cushioning and damping characteristics of the shoe.

Therefore, with the cited, previously known configurations of soles and their damping elements, it is disadvantageous that the influence both on the damping and cushioning characteristics and on the pronation and supination characteristics when the shoe impacts on the ground is possible only under certain circumstances or to a restricted extent. It is desirable to have an influencing parameter with which this is possible in an improved way.

The object of the invention is therefore to develop a shoe, in particular a sports shoe, of the type stated at the beginning in such a way that the cushioning and damping characteristics of the shoe when the heel impacts on the ground and also the pronation and supination characteristics of the shoe can be influenced in a better way. It is therefore intended to propose a structural configuration of the shoe of the stated type, with which the deforming of the damping element and the tilting of the shoe about the longitudinal shoe axis when the shoe impacts on the ground can be influenced.

The solution of this object according to the invention is characterized in that the shoe has a rear-foot or heel shell, which is directly adjoined by at least some of the webs.

As will be seen later in detail (see FIG. 3), the disadvantageous deformation of the damping element when the shoe impacts on the ground is consequently largely avoided, so that on the one hand good cushioning and damping characteristics of the damping element are ensured, but on the other hand there is no negative deformation of the element.

It is preferably provided that the damping element extends up to the rear end of the shoe and upwards around the heel. Accordingly, the damping element therefore at least partly follows the shape of the heel shell, which enhances the desired effect. In order therefore to achieve certain cushioning and damping characteristics also in the rearmost or back region of the shoe, the damping element may extend up to a height of 40% to 75% of the overall height of the shoe in the heel region. The last web of the damping element is in this case considered as the end of the damping element.

The damping element may have a number of planar, two-dimensionally formed and interconnected webs, it advantageously being provided that at least some of the cavities have, when viewed from the shoe side, a polygonal, in particular tetragonal, pentagonal or hexagonal, delimitation. As an alternative or in addition, it is also possible that the damping element has a number of curved, two—dimensionally formed and interconnected webs. The stated formation of the webs—planar and curved—covers all conceivable cases, even cavities of which the delimiting surfaces are of a tub-shape, tubular or oval form.

On the underside of the damping element there may be arranged an outsole, preferably of a constant thickness. The outsole may extend over the entire region in which the damping element extends. In addition, it may also be provided that the outsole extends beyond the region of the damping element.

A particularly favourable manner of production and a compact form of the component become possible if the rear-foot or heel shell, the damping element and/or the outsole are formed as a one-part injection moulding.

The force transfer from the foot to the ground or vice versa is further optimized if, according to a development, it is provided that at least some of the webs, when viewed from the side of the shoe, stand perpendicularly on the rear-foot or heel shell and/or on the outsole.

The rear-foot or heel shell is preferably configured as a convex formation, i.e. the surface of the rear-foot or heel shell is formed in any event in the heel region such that it is curved in at least two directions that are perpendicular to each other and lie in the surface plane.

The pronation and supination characteristics of the shoe can be positively influenced if it is provided that at least one incision is incorporated at least in part of the damping element, dividing the damping element into at least two part-elements that are preferably arranged symmetrically in relation to the centre plane of the shoe.

The incision preferably has in this case—when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shoe—a U-shaped or V-shaped form. The flanks of the V—shaped incision preferably include with the vertical an angle of between 10° and 60°, preferably between 15° and 45°. The lateral outer delimiting surfaces of the part-elements advantageously run straight, at least in certain portions, the delimiting surfaces including with the vertical an angle of between 0° and 60°, preferably between 15° and 45°.

The angle of the flanks of the V-shaped incision in relation to the vertical and the angle of the delimiting surfaces in relation to the vertical may in this case be equal in size. However, it may also alternatively be provided that the two said angles are of different sizes. The incision may in this case extend up to or almost up to the rear-foot or heel shell.

The incision may, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, only be located in the rear-foot region of the shoe. It may when seen in the longitudinal direction of the shoe extend over a length of between 5% and 45%, preferably between 15% and 35%, of the length of the shoe. The lower values of the extent of the incision apply in particular to the case where a number of incisions follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

The maximum width of the incision in the region of the standing area of the shoe on the ground may be between 10% and 50%, in particular between 20% and 40%, of the width of the shoe. The lower values of the extent of the incision apply here in particular to the case where two or more incisions are arranged next to one another in the longitudinal direction of the shoe.

The outsole that is possibly arranged on the underside of the damping element (for example adhesively attached) is—like the damping element—partly interrupted in the case where an incision is present over the width of the shoe.

The parts of the sole and, in particular, the damping element preferably consist of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material. Especially preferred for this are polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyamide, polyurethane or a mixture of at least two of these plastics. The plastic may be translucent or transparent. The outsole may also consist of plastic, preferably of polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutane, polyamide, polyurethane or a mixture of at least two of these plastics, or of rubber.

The material of the individual component parts of the damping element and their geometrical dimensions may be selected by a person skilled in the art to establish the cushioning and/or damping characteristics of the damping element.

The configuration according to the invention provides the shoe with improved support against forces or moments that tend to shear the shoe in the direction of the longitudinal shoe axis and/or twist it about the longitudinal shoe axis when it impacts on the ground. As a result, both the cushioning and damping characteristics of the shoe when it impacts on the ground and the pronation and supination characteristics of the shoe can be selectively influenced. This is also possible with relatively simple means, so that the influence can be accomplished at low cost.

It is also possible by the proposed measures to influence the cushioning and damping characteristics of the sole or the damping element. The resilient rigidity as an absolute value can be set by means of the thickness of the webs of the damping element and/or by means of the size of the individual cavities.

The production of the proposed damping element and of the shoe as a whole is possible in a simple way and at low cost, for which known methods are used.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are represented in the drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 shows the rear part of a prior-art sports shoe provided with a damping element in side view,

FIG. 2 shows the shoe that is shown in FIG. 1 when the heel impacts on the ground,

FIG. 3 shows a configuration of the shoe according to the invention when the heel impacts on the ground,

FIG. 4 shows the rear part of a shoe that represents one embodiment of the invention in a perspective view,

FIG. 5 shows the rear part of a sports shoe according to the invention in longitudinal section when viewed from the side,

FIG. 6 shows the section A-B through the shoe according to FIG. 5,

FIG. 7 shows the view of the rear part of the shoe according to FIG. 5 or 6 from below, i.e. looking at the outsole, and

FIG. 8 a to FIG. 8 d show various configurations of the damping element, details of the damping element being represented in side view.

One embodiment of the invention can be seen in FIG. 4, the shoe that is partly represented there having a shoe upper part 1 and a sole 2. Integrated in the sole 2 is a damping element 3, the damping element 3 being formed by a number of webs 4 which form cavities 5 which extend horizontally and transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction L of the shoe.

An important feature is that the shoe has a rear-foot or heel shell 12, which is directly adjoined by at least some of the webs 4. FIG. 4 shows that the upper, vertically extending webs 4 of the damping element 3 meet the convex surface of the heel shell 12 perpendicularly and—when seen over the width of the shoe—follow the convex shape of the heel shell 12 (also see FIG. 6 in this respect). The damping element 3 is not of a planar configuration in this case—when seen in the longitudinal direction L—but instead the shape of the damping element 3 follows the shape of the heel shell 12, i.e. in the rear heel region the damping element curves upwards.

The outsole 14, attached to the bottom of the damping element 3, follows correspondingly, i.e. over certain distances there is a gap between the heel shell 12 and the outsole 14 with a largely constant distance, which follows the shape of the heel shell and in which the damping element 3 is arranged.

This achieves the effect that, when the shoe impacts with the heel on the ground, there is no disadvantageous deformation, which would shear the damping element, as is the case in the prior art according to FIGS. 1 and 2. Rather, it is evident from the representation according to FIG. 3 that, although the damping element 3 is compressed, and therefore deformed, shearing (as in FIG. 2) does not take place, or in any event only insignificantly. This is achieved by the use of the heel shell 12 having the result that the foot force F_(F) and the ground force F_(B) lie substantially in the same plane, i.e. there is no distance a—as in FIG. 2—in the direction of the horizontal H between the two forces, so that the disadvantageous deformation of the damping element 3 (as represented in FIG. 2) is prevented.

To improve the pronation and supination characteristics of the shoe, the following further measures may possibly be taken:

In FIG. 5, the rear part of an alternatively formed shoe can be seen. Integrated here in the sole 2 is a damping element 3, which comprises a number of webs 4, which are formed as panel parts or as curved walls which—apart from an incision still to be discussed in more detail—extend over the entire width of the shoe. The damping element 3 comprising the individual webs 4 is in this case again connected at the top directly to the rear-foot or heel shell 12. At the bottom, the outsole 14 is again arranged on the damping element 3. It can also be seen that here, too, the damping element 3 extends over the rear-foot region 13.

As can be seen from the representation according to FIG. 6 and FIG. 7, the damping element 3 does not extend uninterruptedly over the entire width of the shoe, but instead a V-shaped incision 6 is provided. The incision 6 is defined by two flanks 8 and 9 (see FIG. 6), which are of a straight form and include an angle α with respect to the vertical V. In the exemplary embodiment, this angle is about 30°, but values between 15° and 45° are suitable with preference. It can also be seen that the laterally outer delimiting surfaces 10 and 11 of the damping element 3 do not fall away vertically, but instead likewise run at an angle with respect to the vertical V, in any event in the lower region of the damping element 3. This angle is indicated by β. It is not essential, but preferred, for the angles α and β to be of the same size.

It is also possible that more than one incision 6 is incorporated in the sole or in the damping element 3. In this case, two or more incisions 6 following one another in the longitudinal direction L of the shoe may, for example, be provided. It is also possible that, when viewed in the longitudinal direction L, two or more incisions 6 arranged next to one another are provided, dividing the damping element 3 into a number of part-elements over the width of the shoe.

This produces a configuration with which the damping element 3 is divided into two part-elements 3′ and 3″, which, in any event in the lower region of the damping element 3, extend laterally and downwardly away from one another in a widening sense, the two parts-elements 3′, 3′ preferably, but not necessarily, being formed symmetrically in relation to the centre plane 7 of the shoe. Asynmmetries of the part-elements 3′, 3″ can be used for selectively influencing the pronation and supination characteristics of the shoe.

It is evident from FIG. 7 how great the extent of the incision 6 can be chosen. In the exemplary embodiment, the length L_(E), of the incision 6 is approximately 25% to 30% of the overall length L_(S) of the shoe, values between 15% and 35% being preferred. While the incision 6 (see FIG. 6) reaches almost up to the rear-foot or heel shell 12 and forms the point of the “V” there, the incision 6 has its maximum width BE, which is preferably between 20% and 40% of the width Bs of the shoe, in the region of the outsole 14.

FIGS. 8 a to 8 d show various configurations of the damping element 3 as far as the shaping of the webs 4 is concerned.

In FIG. 8 a, a honeycomb-like body is realized, i.e. here the individual webs 4 form hexagonal or tetragonal elements which combine to form the structure of the damping element 3. According to FIG. 8 b, the webs 4 are arranged in such a way that pentagons are obtained. A very simple rectangular configuration of the individual cavities 5 through the webs 4 can be seen in FIG. 8 c (solution according to FIG. 1). In the case of the solution that is shown in FIG. 8 d, only planar, that is to say panel-like, webs 4 are provided, connecting the outsole 14 to the rear-foot or heel shell 12; the webs are in this case arranged at an angle to the vertical and parallel to one another.

As can be seen in FIG. 5, here, too, the damping element 3 is not of a planar form but instead follows the shape of the rear-foot or heel shell 12. In this case, the damping element 3 extends up to a certain height (the uppermost web 4, which runs almost horizontally, forms a termination of the damping element 3), which corresponds approximately to half the overall height of the shoe in the heel region.

While the exemplary embodiment merely shows the structure of the damping element 3 in the rear-foot region 13, the same can also apply correspondingly to the front-foot region.

The damping element 3 together with the rear-foot or heel shell 12 is preferably formed as a one-piece injection moulding (preferably from EVA). The outsole 14 may be adhesively attached onto this part.

List of designations  1 shoe upper part  2 sole  3 damping element  3′ part-element  3″ part-element  4 web  5 cavity  6 incision  7 centre plane  8 flank  9 flank 10 lateral outer delimiting surface 11 lateral outer delimiting surface 12 rear-foot or heel shell 13 rear-foot region 14 outsole 15 top panel 16 bottom panel L longitudinal direction of the shoe V vertical H horizontal α angle β angle a distance L_(E) length of the incision L_(S) length of the shoe B_(E) maximum width of the incision B_(S) width of the shoe F_(F) foot force F_(G) ground force F_(S) shearing force 

1.-21. (canceled)
 22. Shoe, comprising a shoe upper part, a sole, and at least one damping element being arranged above or in the sole, the damping element being formed by a number of webs which form open cavities which extend horizontally and transversely in relation to the longitudinal direction of the shoe, wherein on the underside of the damping element there is arranged an outsole, to which at least some of the webs adjoin directly, the shoe has a rear-foot or heel shell, which is directly adjoined by at least some of the webs, the surface of the rear-foot or heel shell facing the outsole is formed in any event in the heel region such that it is curved in at least two directions that are perpendicular to each other and lie in the surface plane, and wherein at least some of the webs, when viewed from the side, stand perpendicularly on the rear-foot or heel shell and/or on the outsole.
 23. Shoe according to claim 22, wherein the damping element extends up to the rear end of the shoe and upwards around the heel.
 24. Shoe according to claim 22, wherein the damping element has a number of planar, two-dimensionally formed and interconnected webs.
 25. Shoe according to claim 24, wherein at least some of the cavities have, when viewed from the shoe side, a polygonal, in particular tetragonal, pentagonal or hexagonal, delimitation.
 26. Shoe according to claim 22, wherein the damping element has a number of curved, two-dimensionally formed and interconnected webs.
 27. Shoe according to claim 22, wherein the rear-foot or heel shell, the damping element and/or the outsole are formed as a one-part injection moulding.
 28. Shoe according to claim 22, wherein at least one incision is incorporated at least in part of the damping element, dividing the damping element into at least two part-elements.
 29. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the at least two part-elements are arranged symmetrically in relation to the centre plane of the shoe.
 30. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the incision has, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a U-shaped form.
 31. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the incision has, when viewed in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, a V-shaped form.
 32. Shoe according to claim 31, wherein the flanks of the V-shaped incision include with the vertical an angle of between 10° and 60°.
 33. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the lateral outer delimiting surfaces of the part-elements run straight, at least in certain portions, the delimiting surfaces including with the vertical an angle of between 0° and 60°.
 34. Shoe according to claim 33, wherein the angle of the flanks of the V-shaped incision in relation to the vertical and the angle of the delimiting surfaces in relation to the vertical are equal in size.
 35. Shoe according to claim 33, wherein the angle of the flanks of the V-shaped incision in relation to the vertical and the angle of the delimiting surfaces in relation to the vertical are not equal in size.
 36. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the incision extends up to or almost up to the rear-foot or heel shell.
 37. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the incision, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, is only located in the rear-foot region of the shoe.
 38. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the incision, when seen in the longitudinal direction of the shoe, extends over a length of between 5% and 45%, of the length of the shoe.
 39. Shoe according to claim 28, wherein the maximum width of the incision in the region of the standing area of the shoe on the ground is between 10% and 50%, of the width of the shoe. 